do you think that a hurricane can hit california in the future?

Answer 1

Eventually, yes--it's just a matter of time. There is a record of one hitting San Diego in 1858:

" 1858 HURRICANE STRUCK SAN DIEGO, SAY RESEARCH METEOROLOGISTS

Most hurricanes affect the United States’ East Coast, but the West Coast is also vulnerable, as shown by an 1858 tropical cyclone that brought hurricane-force winds to San Diego. The historical data and contemporary analysis of this event were presented today by a NOAA scientist at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society in San Diego, Calif. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“On October 2, 1858, estimated sustained hurricane force winds produced by a tropical cyclone located a short distance offshore were felt in San Diego,” said Christopher Landsea, the co-author of a paper on the 1858 hurricane and a hurricane researcher at NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Fla. “Extensive damage was done in the city and was described as the severest gale ever felt to that date, nor has it been matched or exceeded in severity since.”"

In general the cold water is enough to make them fizzle pretty quickly. Perhaps they hit every 150 or 200 years? One thing we do get in Southern California ocassionally is the remnants of hurricanes or tropical storms. Generally that just means a little rain--very rare in summer here. There has not been a tropical storm in Southern California during the 15 years I've lived here.

Answer 2

Dieing Hurricanes DO hit here in California at times.

Dieing Hurricanes that come up from Baha California, that is.

But 'fresh strong' category 3, 4, and 5 Hurricanes striking California ??

It could happen soon, since the Weather's getting more and more Severer the past 10 years.

Answer 3

Yes. As one of the answerers has pointed out, one hit San Diego in the 19th century. It depends on a lot of factors coming together: relatively warm water, high forward speed, and favorable atmospheric conditions. In fact, the National Weather Service's numerical weather prediction model earlier today was forecasting a tropical storm in Southern California next Friday. Even as recently as 1977 a strong tropical storm entered California's deserts after crossing Baja California--part of the reason it was as strong as it was is because it was moving very quickly and didn't spend long over cold water. By the way, as recently as a couple of weeks ago water temperature off San Diego was measured as high as 80F! It was still cool off of Baja though.

By the way FaZizzle, the reason that Dean dissipated had absolutely nothing to do with cool water--it went over land, which invariably weakens hurricanes.

Answer 4

It's possible if the Pacific Ocean starts kicking up hurricanes like the Atlantic Ocean does. We get a few mild twisters inland in California these days. A hurricane is just a big wet twister. I can see it happening and some places even welcoming it out in our southern desert.

Answer 5

Only if the temperature of the ocean changes - which in the past was thought to be unlikely. But with all the weird things going on with the ozone layer depleting and everything - I wouldn't be surprised if a volcano suddenly appeared an erupted in middle of downtown los angeles.

Answer 6

Highly unlikely, since the water temperature needs to be 80 degrees or higher for a hurricane to remain a hurricane.

Answer 7

No--the water is too cold for that to occur.

Hurricanes form over moist, warm tropiocal waters. Remember Hurricane Dean? Remember how it was a Category 5 and then hit Mexico and fizzled out? The waters it was passing out were cooler and helped burn it out.

Same goes for Cali.

Answer 8

In theory yes but it's unlikely.

Answer 9

Anything is possible.

Answer 10

No way, they only do earthquakes..